Chemical Peel for dark skin?

I am an African American, and I'm wondering, would Chemical Peel help with my dark facial scars?

3 answers to “Chemical Peel for dark skin?”

A: Ethnic Skin and Chemical Peels

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

There are countless types of chemical peels that are commonly used by physicians.  The peels generally contain a specific acid (examples include glycolic acid, retinoic acid, salicylic acid, trichloroacetic acid TCA) that acts to coagulate or destroy the superficial layers of skin.  Once performed,... more

A: Most definitely if it is Discolorations rather than true scars.

David Hansen, MD

It really depends on whether you have true scars or just discolorations. True scars are firm bumps or atrophic indentations. There has to be a texture change to be called a scar. Discolorations on the other hand are just that. Color changes of the skin. Discolorations can be treated with a series of light... more

A: Generally, yes.

Bryan K. Chen, MD

Chemical peels (usually a series of peels) that exfoliate the skin can be used to lighten dark spots.  There is a distinction though between true scars and dark spots. I would caution you that in individuals with darker skin, the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (i.e. darkening of the skin... more

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